#nadia x apprentice

“Chimalus… Chimalus!”

Chimalus stirred. Someone was calling them. And there was a rather high-pitched sound right in their ear. They felt their brows crease. It took a moment for them to figure out how to open their eyes.

The first thing they saw was a blue and brownish blur. Skye. The bluebird was right in their face, chirping frantically with worry. Then Skye moved aside… and Nadia was right there.

Chimalus thought that the carriage crash must have rattled them pretty badly. They couldn’t think of any other reason for Nadia to look so openly worried.

“Chimalus, are you alright?” Nadia gasped.

Chimalus tried to move. Were they okay?

They didn’t get much chance to find out. Nadia wrapped her arms around them and carefully extricated them from… whatever they were tangled up in. By the time Nadia had set them shakily on their feet, they had enough wherewithal to notice that the collision had thrown them from the carriage entirely. They had crashed into some heavy branches. And belatedly, Chimalus heard the sound of hooves pounding across the ground.

The horses had broken free. Which was technically a good thing… but it did leave them all stranded.

“Nadia…”

Nadia ignored their call… or maybe she didn’t hear it under the crash of the pouring rain. She pressed a gentle hand to Chimalus’ forehead. When she drew back, her fingertips were stained crimson.

“You’re injured!” Nadia’s expression melted into sorrow. “This is my fault…”

Skye chirped sadly. She settled on Chimalus’ shoulder, finding the little gap between their cloak and their neck, and gently headbutted their cheek. Chimalus shakily brought a hand to their own head. There was definitely a gash up there. But they felt mostly steady on their feet. Their vision was as clear as it had ever been. They weren’t dizzy, and nothing felt broken.

“Nadia, I’m alright,” they assured her.

They had hoped Nadia would be relieved. But she looked almost angry.

“No, Chimalus, you are not alright,” she all but snapped. “Come here. Let me help you.”

Chimalus had no chance to protest. Not that they wanted to. Nadia simply scooped them up, carrying them bridal-style. That particular thought made Chimalus blush. They hid their face in Nadia’s shoulder.

Somehow, Nadia managed to open the door to the broken carriage while still carrying Chimalus. She carefully set them down on one of the padded benches. She lingered there for a moment, her fingers trailing along their cheek, before she finally pulled back and sat across from them.

“This is the second carriage this week,” Nadia sighed.

She nervously ran a hand through her hair. Then she shook her head, took a slightly deeper breath, and inspected Chimalus again. One glance at their forehead was enough to send her looking all around the carriage, searching for something. Eventually, she turned to her own torn, rain-soaked sleeve. She ripped off a strip of fabric.

“Hold still,” she said gently. “This may sting.”

She held the damp rag up to the cut on Chimalus’ forehead. She kept it there, staring so intently that Chimalus started to blush again. When Nadia pulled back, the bleeding had stopped.

“There,” said Nadia. “Now you are alright. Though perhaps we should have you see a palace physician when we return…”

“I’m fine, Nadia,” said Chimalus, completely unconvincingly.

Nadia’s lips twitched into a frown. She put a hand on Chimalus’ shoulder, gently easing them against the bench so they were able to rest their head against the carriage wall. Nadia still didn’t look fully happy even after that.

“Nadia, really, it’s alright,” Chimalus insisted.

Sadly, they were clearly trembling a little when they reached for Nadia’s hand. And Skye’s reproachful chirp didn’t help.

“You will be,” Nadia said firmly. “I am truly sorry that you were injured at all.”

“It’s not your fault,” said Chimalus. “Really. That creature…”

They trailed off. They weren’t sure if they wanted to talk about the figure that had appeared before them, the flash of white illuminated by a strike of lightning.

The cause of the crash.  

Nadia’s expression turned more serious, if that were possible. “You saw it as well, then. I thought it was…” She stopped, almost looking annoyed. She stared out the carriage window for a moment before shaking her head. Her expression turned resolute. “We cannot stay in this carriage forever. I… suppose we should start walking.”

Chimalus sat up a little straighter. They were sure that they could get back on their feet. And finding some sort of place where any future thunder wouldn’t make the carriage shake was a very tempting idea. But Nadia didn’t look like she was ready to go.

“Nadia?”

Nadia looked up at them.

“We should take a moment,” said Chimalus. “Maybe the rain will slow down.”

For a split second, Nadia looked curious. Confused. Then a faint blush crept across her cheeks. She knew exactly what Chimalus was hoping for. But she wasn’t about to admit that out loud.

“Well,” she said slowly. “I suppose if you need to take a break…”

Chimalus had to hide a fond laugh. But their smile quickly slipped. Nadia was clearly tense. Her fists were clenched, pressed against her lap. Her mouth was set into a thin, tight line. She stared out the window again, practically glaring at the trees.

“Nadia… are… are you alright?” Chimalus asked.

The answer was obvious. And made all the more so by Nadia’s frown.

Nadia was silent for a long moment. Her expression softened just the slightest bit. And she let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping.

“No,” she admitted. “No, I am not. Everything is falling apart, Chimalus, and it’s only been three months.” She closed her eyes, grimacing. “The court is corrupt. The city is falling apart. Perhaps irreparably so. My sister is here. Portia has been lying to me, and I’ve no idea who to trust. Frankly, Chimalus, I am perhaps a little upset about all these very stressful things.”   

“I’d be surprised if you weren’t,” Chimalus said gently.

Nadia didn’t even hear them. She took a deep, trembling breath. She kept her eyes closed as she attempted to compose herself. It didn’t work. She drew her knees up to her chest and hid her face.

“And now… I have managed to hurt you.”

Her shoulders were trembling. At first, Chimalus thought it might be because of the cold. They sat a little straighter, ready to put their cloak over her, for whatever little warmth a soaking wet cloak would offer.

Then Nadia looked up. A single tear trailed down her cheek, mingling with the rainwater.

“I suppose it’s only fair I pay for my mistakes.”

Words wouldn’t reach her in this state. So Chimalus acted. They slid off of their seat, carefully crossed the carriage, and sat down beside her. Just as carefully, fingers feather-light, they brushed away some of Nadia’s tears. They could only hope it helped. And Nadia felt so cold… but Chimalus didn’t quite dare to huddle closer. It might not have been proper, even after everything.

Nadia made that decision for them. She leaned against Chimalus, hiding her face in their cloak. And she cried.

Chimalus gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders. They didn’t say a word. Just then, they knew that Nadia needed silent support far more than she needed any sort of reassurance or platitudes. Though that didn’t stop Skye from adorably nestling on Nadia’s shoulder instead of sitting on Chimalus. Chimalus smiled at that. In their opinion, nothing was a better comfort than some extra-soft feathers.

They stayed just like that for a while longer. Chimalus wasn’t sure exactly how long. But eventually, Nadia took in one more shaky breath. And she sat up. She still looked sorrowful. But there was something thoughtful about her expression as well.

“Thank you, Chimalus,” she murmured. She carefully wiped her eyes. “I… I haven’t cried since I was nine. How nostalgic.”

“It looks like you needed it,” said Chimalus.

And it was really no wonder why. Nadia was under an almost inconceivable amount of pressure. She had an entire city to bring back from the brink of destruction, all while planning a giant event, and with many people she was supposed to be able to trust actively working against her. Then there was the debate on whether or not Portia was doing the same. And as Countess, and one who had lived her whole life as a princess besides, she had to put on a show for almost everyone. She couldn’t show weakness. She had to make it seem like she was in complete control.

It must have been exhausting.

Nadia was quiet for a moment, before finally nodding. “You’re right, of course. It’s not as if I am ashamed of my emotions. Quite the opposite, in fact. However… I usually experience them in solitude.”

“Well… nobody else is around right now,” said Chimalus, trying to lighten the mood a bit. “Does that count?”

Nadia gave a soft laugh. “Perhaps. Though one may want to show a bit more self-control in front of a renowned and powerful magician.”

“I wouldn’t call myself renowned,” said Chimalus, embarrassed.

They were more infamous than anything, if the odd looks they still sometimes received from people in the market were any indication. But they decided not to comment on that just then. It wouldn’t help Nadia.

“But either way, you don’t need to put up a front just for me,” they said instead. “You don’t need to be the Countess, or a princess, or anything like that. You can just be… yourself.”

Nadia’s smile was small, but genuine, and perhaps a bit playful. She leaned against Chimalus again, visibly relaxing.

“Perhaps not,” she said. “It may take a bit of practice, opening myself up in such a way. This may shock you, but I am used to doing most things alone.”

“You don’t need to anymore,” Chimalus said softly.

Nadia’s smile grew. It had become the smile that always made Chimalus’ heart pound.

“No… I suppose I don’t,” she said. Then her smile vanished, immediately replaced by a look of frustration. “Well, I might do to avoid giving you any more grievous injuries, lest I find myself alone once more.”

“You won’t,” Chimalus assured her. “I’ll always be there for you.” 

They had no idea what had possessed them to say something like that out loud. Sure, they had thought those exact same words many times. More often than they necessarily wanted to admit. Just the fact that they had said them now made their cheeks flame. But still. Every word was true. 

And despite not being able to give true facial expressions, Skye managed to give them a very knowing look. Chimalus decided to ignore it. 

Nadia must have noticed. Or maybe she just thought that the way Chimalus had managed to utterly fluster themself was adorable. She smiled, giving a soft, humming sort of laugh. And she gently pressed her lips to the edge of the cut on Chimalus’ head. 

“Thank you, Chimalus,” she whispered. “I assure you, nothing like this will happen again. I intend to keep you safe.” 

Before Chimalus could reply, Nadia pulled slightly back. She straightened up her skirts, smoothed down her hair, and briskly wiped away the last traces of tears. Chimalus’ heart ached a bit. They wanted to say so much more. They wanted to keep her safe, too. They couldn’t be the one protected all the time. They couldn’t be another burden for Nadia to carry. They wanted nothing more than to help. 

And to stay by her side. 

At least she was still holding their hand. The two of them weren’t quite tangled up like they had been before, but their hands, resting on the seat in the little empty space between them, were still decidedly connected. 

Nadia gently ran her thumb over the back of Chimalus’ hand. 

“The world always looks a little better after a good cry, doesn't it?” she mused. “I had forgotten... thank you for reminding me.” 

“You’re welcome.” Chimalus’ voice came out a little higher than usual. “I know I always feel better after I let things out like that.” 

“You do so often?” said Nadia, teasing. 

Chimalus played along. When Nadia smiled like that, they simply couldn’t do anything else.

“Oh, yes,” they said with as straight a face as possible. “I cried yesterday.” 

Nadia’s eyes widened. “Oh? Whatever for? I hope I haven’t given you reason to cry...”

“Well, your riding outfit was absolutely incredible,” Chimalus said casually. “You looked so powerful. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I had to let it out somehow, right?” 

They did their best to hold Nadia’s gaze. Nadia was smirking again. It took all of Chimalus’ effort to hold back their own laughter. 

Then Skye gave a decidedly exasperated trill. And Nadia burst out laughing.

Chimalus couldn’t hold it in anymore. They wound up joining her. The two of them collapsed against each other again, their shoulders shaking, though the tears had been left far behind. 

“Well, then,” said Nadia when the laughter had finally subsided enough for her to talk, “if that is true, then you must remind me to talk to my tailor. I’ll get you a suit, too.” She smiled, both playful and somewhat alluring. “You’d look quite ravishing, I think.” 

Chimalus would be surprised if their face hadn’t turned into a tomato at that point. “You don’t need to get me anything.” 

“I would like to repay you for the compassion you showed me today,” Nadia said simply. “For the companionship as well. If there’s anyone I could have utterly broken down in front of, you are by far the best choice. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on... I hope you know that I am there for you as well. And if a shoulder is not enough, then I fully intend to shower you with gifts until you feel better. Including a riding suit, of course. And perhaps a horse of your own.”

Chimalus somehow turned redder. "Nadia..."

Nadia gently kissed their cheek again. “If I can offer you even a little comfort, I will be happy to give it.”  

“Nadia, really, that’s very kind of you, but you don’t need to repay me,” said Chimalus. It was amazing how flustered they managed to get.  

Nadia chuckled. “No, perhaps not. But I would like to. If you’ll allow me.” 

Chimalus met her eye. She was smiling again, far more soft and sincere than the playful smirk from earlier. Chimalus found they loved this smile just as much as the other one. They loved all of Nadia’s smiles. They hoped she had reason to share those smiles more often. 

Before they could say anything more, a clap of thunder shook the air. Chimalus jumped, nearly sending Skye flying. The carriage windows rattled. 

Nadia sighed, scowling at the windows as though personally offended by the thunder. “It seems this storm has no intention of letting up. We’d best go find some real shelter.”  

She stood gracefully, offering Chimalus her hand. Chimalus accepted. They didn’t exactly like the idea of trudging off in the middle of a storm. But they knew there was very little choice. And it helped to know that they weren’t going through this alone. 

Chimalus put up their hood. Skye tucked themself in the little space between Chimalus’ neck and the edge of their cloak. Nadia smiled, more fondly this time. And she gracefully stepped out of the carriage, pausing to help Chimalus down as well. 

Callisto stood by in the palace garden as Lyra had instructed. Julian found her and eyed the clouds that were becoming more and more malicious by the second. 

“What are you doing out here?” He asked. 

“I have business to discuss with the Consul.” Callisto said, admittedly she was bragging a little to Julian. 

Julian laughed. “Who’d you have to get on your knees for to swing a meeting with Consul Valerius?” 

“His girlfriend.” She said blatantly. “And if I seem a little more familiar with Count Lucio, it’s the same technique.” she joked. 

The look on his face should be painted and immortalized forever. “So while I’m elbows deep in corpses downstairs, you’re stealing noble women from their husbands.” 

“As if their husbands aren’t awful.” Callisto scoffed. “Believe me, after spending a day with Count Lucio, I understand why Lady Satrinava came to the library, desperate for a distraction.” 

Julian raised an eyebrow and smirked. 

“Not that kind of distraction!” She smacked his arm with some force, which made him yelp. “She wanted me to tell her fortune.” 

“And you did?” 

“She’s Lady Satrinava, as if I could have refused.” Callisto excused. 

His head bobbed from side to side, as if weighing the statement in his head. “I think you’ll find Lady Satrinava is a little more forgiving than the other nobles in the palace.” 

She immediately wanted to ask more questions, but as if on queue, a tame carriage considering Lucio’s tastes for the palace, rolled up, pulled by two beautiful coffee-colored horses with sleek and shiny hides. The chauffeur turned to her and Julian. “Magician Callisto?” 

“Your carriage awaits, milady.” Julian bowed dramatically. 

Callisto messed up his hair now that it was within reach to her as she stepped up into the cab. She suddenly felt quite self-conscious now that she was actually trying to impress Lyra. And get information from Valerius, but really she didn’t want Lyra to think she couldn’t handle herself. 

She reached into her bag and pulled out some salt. She threw it up into the air, and blew on it to crystalize it into a floating mirror. Her hair was a bit of a mess, so she combed through it a couple times to tame it, noting that she thinks she’d look good with bangs. Callisto considers using a spell to cut her hair here, but the wheel hitting a stray stone made her think better of it. 

With all her fretting, she realized the ride was not nearly long enough for her to fix every aspect of herself. Though moments before the carriage door opened, she managed to use a stray rose petal to fix the lingering scent of dust and paint that still resided in her clothes and hair.

A servant meets her outside, and escorts her inside. Through open, and elegant halls, they come upon an all but sparkling dining room, where Consul Valerius, Lyra, and Lady Satrinava were seated. 

Honestly, I’d feel a little better if Lyra had just said she was trying to kill me. 

“Ah, Lady Satrinava, Valerius, this is the Magician Callisto. An old friend of mine.” Lyra introduced. 

“A pleasure to meet you, Magician.” Nadia smiled while Valerius stayed silent, more interested in the wine in his glass. 

So she doesn’t want them to know about our meeting in the library. So Lyra has no idea what’s going on. 

“It’s a true pleasure to meet two esteemed members of Vesuvia’s court at the same time.” Callisto bowed to them and a servant helped her get seated between the Countess and the Consul. 

Callisto brushed her skirt down, and realized she was fidgeting too much, so she just took a sip of her wine. It seems her objective has changed to survive dinner. 

“Say Magician, that is a rather impressive emerald on your necklace.” Nadia probed. 

“Oh! Yes, it was a gift from my late aunt.” She supplied. 

“Is witchcraft a family profession?” Valerius asked. 

“A little bit. I was raised by my aunt and she taught me everything I know. I don’t remember my parents, since they died when I was young. I inherited her shop when she passed.” Callisto explained. 

"This is a very nice cabernet, Consul." She commented, hoping to change the subject. 

He tipped his head ever so slightly. "I'm surprised you recognize it." 

Callisto nodded, setting her glass back down. "I brew small batches of honey wine at home. They tend to sell pretty well at the shop, but true wines were more my aunt's passion. Still, I picked up a thing or two. Nothing fancy." 

Valerius eyed her cautiously, but his gaze soon went to Nadia. "Was there something you needed to discuss, Milady?" 

There was a brief moment before she answered where Callisto only heard the beginnings of a rainstorm falling across the roof. 

"Yes, I was wondering what the status of the plague hospitals in the city is." Nadia got directly to her point, or at least whatever point she was trying to make Valerius think she was after. Callisto was left in shock that both her and the Countess had come here on the same night, to learn more about the same thing. "Perhaps you could enlighten me, Consul?" 

His form squirmed uncomfortably for only a moment. "As dour as you could imagine." He said, carefully. "They are overrun daily, and the resources and infrastructure to help them aren't there because there is no cure to give them. The best the nurses can do is give them a seat on another boat to the Lazaret." 

His pessimistic bite caught Callisto with every syllable. She knew the situation on the streets better than anyone at this table, and Valerius sounded just as hopeless as she felt. 

"Though, Lyra tells me that the Magician Callisto is currently employed at the palace in search of a cure." Valerius puts her right back on the spot. "How is progress in the dungeons going?" 

This was all Nadia. 

She looks to the Countess to see an undeniable smirk of Victory. She was playing Callisto this whole time. She likely wasn't even here to see the Consul in the first place. She knew to find her here. 

But she wasn't about to give up so easily. 

"Progress is slow. My mentor and I have a hypothesis that the plague seems to react most to a lack of attention. Patients with caring families or access to care will live the longest, it doesn't seem to be the medicine that's keeping them alive, as patients who are given medication and sent home to recover, are usually no better off than those that receive no care and no medication." Callisto says. 

She sends a look back to Nadia, who now has a spark of competition in her eye. 

If it's me you want to talk to, then it is me you will address. 

But she wouldn't do that. Not here, anyway. She's keeping secrets from the table, and Callisto will not be the one to show her cards first. Because this has all confirmed one thing; 

Something is going on with the plague.

"Not much else to be done. At least, not that I can do." Valerius shrugs off. 

They finished their dinner with Nadia pressing the Consul for more details about his work and what he’d managed to do in his position. Lyra supplies a name or date when he can’t seem to recall it, usually by coordinating it to whatever painting she was working on while she remembered what he was doing too. Callisto minded herself not to speak much unless at least implied to have been spoken to. However, as the time to leave came, Valerius was approached by a servant of his. She whispered something to him, and he spoke under his breath, back. Lyra listened in, but didn't interrupt. 

"My House Coordinator has informed me that a rather violent storm has come upon us." Valerius announced. "I'm afraid it would be poor form for me to allow my guests to risk traveling in this. You may stay in the guest rooms until morning, but I ask that you at least wait until the storm passes to leave." 

"Thank you for your hospitality, Consul." Callisto quickly said before she said what she really thought, which was that she was dreading being here any longer. 

"Yes, thank you, Consul." Nadia bid him farewell as he retired for the night with Lyra. Callisto and her were brought to their respective rooms and left for the night. Though, Callisto was beginning to think that there were maybe some damn answers hiding in this big house. 

There would be servants at least wandering the halls in shifts, and Callisto was not nearly familiar enough with the Consul’s estate to evade them. It would be even worse if he has servants outside their rooms in shifts, so escaping into the hall is probably not viable. Though, there was a balcony that looked like it could supply more slippery means of escape. 

Callisto opened the door and found the storm was in fact fairly violent, but the winds were tame enough that the roof over the balcony was enough to keep her dry. The thunder and lightning alone would be enough to cause worry for the horses pulling any carriage. 

The balcony on the corner of the house was lit by the lamps in the room. Callisto could feel something pulling her there, and she didn’t get this far as a master magician by ignoring her intuition. She looked through her bag to find anything she could use. Unfortunately, she used the last of her salt to make a mirror, but it probably wouldn’t have been enough to get her over there anyway. All she could find was a long spool of string with a needle. 

A shuffling in the ivy startled her, but climbing up it, was none other than Clio. 

“You came a long way to be here in my hour of need.” 

“For you!”

“Do you think you can get over there?” She asked. 

“So sneaky.” 

“Very good.” Callisto smiled. She took the needle off the thread and tied the end around Clio’s neck, making sure it was loose enough for her to be comfortable. 

Once it was secure, Clio leapt from the railing to the next balcony, where she didn’t lose speed as she hopped all the way across until she arrived at her position. Callisto concentrated on the string, and began to hear what Clio was hearing outside the window. 

“She wasn’t that bad, Val.” Callisto picked out Lyra’s voice. 

“No, I suppose not.” Valerius sounded far more relaxed than he did earlier. “She’s mindful. I appreciate her restraint. If she’s got enough sense to blow up after meeting Lucio, then I’m sure this hopelessness is more a mortal condition than a noble pursuit.” 

It seems Lyra told him about the portrait sitting today, in detail. Valerius was at his wits end with the plague. 

“She’s a good friend to have, especially when you need her help.” Lyra vouched. “And I appreciate your restraint tonight. The countess was a bit of an unexpected guest, and I could tell you were a little uncomfortable.” 

“I know she’s not exactly an ally of Lucio, but I can’t risk letting his private concerns leak to anyone unfamiliar with them. Even if it is his wife.” Valerius stood his ground. 

“I won’t say you have to make his drunk marriage your responsibility, but I promise, Nadia is harmless. She doesn’t care for him any more than you do.” Lyra laughed a little. 

Valerius is quiet for a moment. “He’s planning something, you know.” He says in a defeated voice. “He keeps begging for my participation, but he doesn’t go into detail. I end up just telling him to find somebody else, but it only takes him little less than a week to bring it up again.”

“You know he has nothing you want.” Lyra scoffed. “Don’t give in to his deals, you know they never end well. Look at the other Courtiers. I mean, do you really want to end up like them?”

“I shudder at the thought.” He says with a sigh as he begins to relax. 

“Good night, Love.” Lyra chuckles. 

The lights go out and Clio begins her fast journey back. 

“You did great, Clio.” Callisto picks her up and hugs her close. 

“Good job.” 

The sound of another balcony door opening made both of them jump and cling to each other. Nadia immediately saw them, and looked nowhere else. She was in a sleeping robe now. She stayed in her doorway, and without saying a word, she walked back into her room, leaving the door open. 

“Invitation.” 

“Well, I’m certainly curious.” She told Clio. 

She scurried away and sat down. “Moths!” 

“Alright, you can stay and chase moths.” Callisto allowed as she stood up on the rail and easily jumped the small gap above the three story drop. It was only scary if she thought about it too long. 

The door was left open enough for Callisto to simply walk through. She found Nadia leaning against the bedpost, waiting. “You have my attention, Countess.” 

“This is hardly the setting for formalities, Callisto. You may call me Nadia, given we’re away from prying eyes.” She allowed. Callisto could leave. She could decide not to trust her, and leave Nadia here with her questions. Or she could stay and figure Nadia out. 

Callisto closes the door behind her.

“You didn’t want the Consul to know we met.” She first noted. 

“He’s not someone I trust.” Nadia answered quickly. 

If she was lying or had some nefarious intentions, Callisto would pick up on it, but her senses gave her more and more of an currious aura. “I think there's something you want to ask me.” 

“Several somethings.” Nadia laughed. 

“How did you know to find me here?” Callisto asks. 

“I was told that you immediately left the library and spoke to Lyra.” She explained. “I figured you would either go to her to speak to Lucio or Valerius, and I made my guess.” 

“Or you knew I already spoke to Lucio because Lyra took me with her to paint his portrait.” Callisto countered. 

“You spoke to Lucio?” Her expression is immediately changed to one of worry.

“Yes. I read a card for him.” She says, holding the information in front of her to see how she reacts to it. 

A curious smirk crosses her face. “What’s he up to?” 

“If you tell me why you invited me in.” Callisto bargained. 

“You’re on to something.” Nadia says. “You’ve been asking questions of your Arcana, and they’ve started leading you down a trail. If you have a lead, and it’s in the court, I want to weed it out.” 

It was true that the Arcana have been telling her that the plague is within the Palace. And while she’s been thinking it’s something about the lack of efforts from the palace, she's uncovering some kind of conspiracy within the court. 

It was Callisto’s turn to answer Nadia’s question. “I only pulled one card for Lucio. Death Reversed. The Arcana said that the stagnation of one is the stagnation of all, and malicious forces fester in the open wound.” 

“And you told him that?” 

“Yes, I absolutely said that to Count Lucio’s face, he said I was even more terrifying and masculine than him.” Callisto deadpanned. “Of course I explained it to him like he’s five-years-old.” 

“You really took ‘no formalities’ personally.” Nadia notes. 

“Something is going on, and I’m an ant out here trying to catch a smell of it, so imagine my surprise when the scarcely seen goddess of the palace seems to be watching me, very closely.” Callisto explains like she’s gone insane. “Nadia, forgive me if I’m a little unhinged.” 

“You don’t strike me as the flattering type.” 

“Only when I’m nervous.” She admits, which gets Nadia to laugh. 

“I sense that we have a common goal. Perhaps we could help each other.” Nadia suggests.  

“What? I use my cards and you talk to the court?” 

Nadia stays quiet for a moment, waiting for her to calm down a little. "Your magic gives you insight into their activities. Mystic forces speak to you, even by just being in someone's presence. I would need your gifts to interpret their inevitable lies." 

"You would bring me around the court on purpose?" Callisto laughed. "And even despite my attitude, wouldn't my presence with you alone make them suspicious?” 

Nadia pushed off the bed post and slowly walked to meet Callisto. “I would give you a position. I would pay you to be the magical counselor for the Palace.” 

“And if I say no?” 

“I would let you leave, and I would do my best to uncover this on my own.” 

Callisto considered those options. Where do they lead? Will this even help her pursuit of the plague? If she was cautious, she knew exactly who to ask. “Why don’t we ask the cards?” 

Nadia looked exceptionally pleased with her. 

“I’ll ask the questions.” Callisto said, walking past Nadia to sit on the bed. She shuffled the cards as she joined her on the bed. “Does the end of the Plague lay within the Palace Court?” 

There was a brief surprise on Nadia’s face when she asked the question, but she could gather that Callisto’s pursuit of the plague was her first priority, even if it was unlikely that this question alone would convince her. 

She pulled only one card, to Nadia’s surprise again. When she turned it over, she was met with the face of The Moon. The voice of the Major Arcana is stronger than ever, especially for this Arcana. “Darkness hides in the shadows of heroes. By facing their mask, you are in danger of falling victim to their shadow.” 

“And what do you make of that, Callisto?” Nadia asks. 

The answer was clear. There was something in the palace that Callisto needed to snuff out. And Here was her chance to hunt for it. “The Arcana know best.” She smiled. “You seem to have found my skills on your side. Use them wisely, Nadia.” 

Nadia leaned over to speak in hushed tones. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” She said, making Callisto swallow harshly. “What did you learn from spying on Valerius?” 

Straight back to business, I guess. 

“Some regular chatting between him and Lyra, but he did say that Lucio is planning something. Says he keeps begging for his participation, but Valerius keeps denying him.” Callisto reports. “I’m not exactly sure what that’s about, but Lyra did mention the other Courtiers had taken Lucio’s deal.” 

“We might be able to get one of them to talk, but it seems like Valerius isn’t going to be saying much more on the topic.” Nadia pieces together out loud. “Have you met the other Courtiers?” 

“I had an unpleasant experience with Pontifex Vulgora. Which does mean I met Procurator Volta, since they’re apparently inseparable. And I speak to Valdemar every time I’m in the palace.” 

“Which only leaves Praetor Vlastomil, and I don’t envy that meeting.” Nadia winces. “You speak to Quaestor Valdemar regularly. What’s your opinion of them?” 

That was a loaded question. “Valdemar just makes everyone’s skin crawl. There's something not human about them, and with my senses, I can usually feel their unsettling presence before I ever see them.” 

“That unfortunately sounds about right.” 

“Lyra also mentioned you don’t seem to like Lucio all that much.” Callisto brought up. 

“Does that really surprise you, or are you wondering if I’m faithful to him?” Nadia asked, suggestively. 

She nearly seized up, but broke herself free quickly. “No- I- It makes me wonder why exactly you came here in the first place? I seriously doubt Vesuvia is anywhere near competing with Prakra in terms of appeal.” 

Nadia let out a long sigh and fell back to lay down on the bed. “Really, I was just looking for a way to escape my sisters. The marriage was proposed to the public as a political alliance, but it was in my best interest to just be away from home. I suppose I knew it best while drunk, and we were married that night.” 

Callisto was left somewhat shocked with this vulnerability from Nadia. She understands why Nadia would feel like she was never in control of her own circumstances, but after years of her being a scarcely seen phantom of the Palace, something made her want to do something about the mess Lucio made of Vesuvia, starting with the court. 

“I guess that’s going around. I started working at the Palace to try to be a part of something bigger than myself. I just wanted to help stop the plague. My childhood friend, Asra, didn’t want me to go.” Callisto admitted. “We had a big fight about it. I ended up telling him that I never wanted to see him again.” 

“Did you mean it?” Nadia asks. 

“I did when I said it, but now I just wish they were here.” Callisto says, that fight still weighing heavily on her heart. “On my own, I’m a master magician, but with Asra, our magic is amplified to something much more powerful than either of us alone. I wanted him to come with me, but he didn’t want me anywhere near the Palace. He never told me why.” 

“Perhaps we should see this as an opportunity.” 

“To do what?” Callisto chuckled. 

“To do better.” 

It was a pleasant thought, but this optimism was not something Callisto was used to. “I think we can do that.” 

Nadia bid her goodnight and let her leave through the balcony again. Waiting to see how this alliance would look in the morning. 

Nadia and Callisto leave in the same carriage in the morning. There are still clouds hanging low in the sky, threatening to rain again, but the worst of the storm has passed. Unfortunately, the future looked more turbulent for Callisto and Nadia. 

“So who are we approaching first?” Callisto asks. 

“I say we speak to Procurator Volta. She tends to be quite skittish, usually hiding behind Pontifex Vulgora. However I believe that if we need someone to crack, she would be the first to do so.” Nadia proposes. 

Something in the air today tells Callisto that today will not be an easy one. Even with Nadia by her side, speaking to the courtiers wouldn’t be easy. Still, something unexpected is hiding, waiting to spring. Out of Habit, she pulls a card, finding The Page of Cups Reversed. “Stay on guard. Something is waiting for us that will likely not be kind.” 

“I don’t suppose the cards could be a little more specific?” 

“That’s all we need to know.” Callisto says. “I will say that the Page of Cups Reversed usually signifies a childish attitude. Someone prone to chaos and tantrums. I don’t suppose that reminds you of anyone?” 

Nadia’s face is one of disdain. “Unfortunately, Vulgora, Vlastomil, and Lucio are all prone to throwing tantrums and fits. I suppose any of them could become an obstacle today. I will be sure to keep an eye out.” 

When they reach the Palace again, Julian is waiting by the road. 

“Welcome back to hell, Magician.” He greets, only noticing Nadia when she stepped out right after Callisto. 

“Good to see you again, Dr. Devorak.” Nadia smiles. 

“Lady Satrinava, always a pleasure.” to his credit, Julian recovers quickly. 

“Your apprentice has been making friends in high places, I should say.” She notifies. “On our ride I found myself in need of her talents, and I will be promoting her to a counselor’s position. I trust that you can carry on your studies without her for the foreseeable future.” 

“Hey, better that you take her off my hands. Better she’s doing something more important than staring at books and records all day.” He says. “And congrats, Callisto. You deserve it.” 

“I’ll still come by to lend a hand when I can.” Callisto promised. “I’m just following a different lead.” 

Julian seemed to notice that little bit of code. Following a lead was usually code for Unofficial Means. “Then you better be going all in.” 

Callisto couldn’t help but smile. “Hundred or nothing.” She patted him on the shoulder as she passed him, following Nadia into the Palace. 

“That was an interesting exchange.” She noted. 

“You picked up on that too?” 

“You were hardly discreet.” 

Callisto shrugged. “Not much need for ‘discreet’ when you’re in the dungeons. There, most people would rather catch the plague than look one another in the eye.” 

“Why would that be?” 

“The plague takes more than lives.” Callisto repeated. It was a mantra for the plague researchers, all of them bearing the weight of every end they’ve gone to for the means of curing the plague. “Where can we find the Procurator?” 

“At this hour, they’re bound to still be in the dining room. Volta doesn’t like to stray too far from the kitchens around meal times.” 

When they get to the dining room, Volta and Vulgora are present, but there is another unexpected guest. Lucio sits at the head of the table, stuffing his face while Volta makes what Lucio’s doing look like a polite tea time date. Vulgora tells a rather loud story to Lucio about some violent excursion. 

“Well, this is a lively scene.” 

“Oh! Noddy, you know Callisto too?”

“Yes, I’ve actually hired her as a mystic counselor for the palace. Her talents could be of great use to Vesuvia.” Nadia vouched. 

Lucio rolled his eyes and slumped back in the chair. “Just like you to snatch my new friends from me.” 

“Count Lucio, just because I am employed here under Lady Satrinava’s command, doesn’t mean I won’t have some time off.” Callisto tried to assure. 

He does seem to light up a little at the assurance. “Promise?” 

“A magician is bound to their word. I still promised Lyra I’d preserve the lighting for your portrait, so I’ll be around when you need my talents, sir.” She gave a respectful bow. 

“I’ll hold you to it.” Lucio swears. Callisto shares a look with Nadia, both of them surprised that it went over as well as it did. He must be in a good mood. “What would this Magician’s talents do for the court, Noddy?” He put her directly on the spot. 

“I already have some ideas. Callisto’s guidance can help with finding the best course of action for my efforts.” Nadia said cautiously. 

“Oh this again.” Lucio scoffed. “The city is fine, Noddy. They’re always in good spirits at my festivals and parties.” 

Nadia attempted to calm herself down, but it seems she was unable to hold her tongue this time. “Because you only meet the people who are well enough to attend.” 

“I’m helping them!” Lucio shouted. 

Nadia abruptly stood, shocking everyone, but most of all, Lucio. “Parties and festivals!? That’s your idea of helping plague-ridden citizens marching to Lazaret, polluted water running red through the canals, overwhelmed medical centers, starvation in the streets, and not to mention the entire district of Vesuvia that is half underwater and still sinking!?” 

Lucio jumped up to argue too, now that this was clearly a fight that Callisto was awkwardly stuck in the middle of. “What could I even do about all that?” 

“Clean the damn water! Clean living, infrastructure, food! The Palace has the resources to help its citizens, but you’d rather spend enough money to feed all of them to fill the garden fountain with Golden Goose for a party!” 

“They’re not important!” Lucio screamed with finality. Nadia was prepared to fight back, but Callisto placed a hidden hand on her knee. 

Nadia just quit and sat down. Volta had hidden under the table with all the shouting, and Vulgora looked disappointed that Nadia had backed down. 

Lucio walked over to the corner of the room and grabbed two swords from the armored figures, tossing one to Vulgora “En Garde!” 

Callisto noticed Nadia rubbing her temples to ease the clearer headache that gave her. With Lucio distracted, they could speak. “I apologize for that, Callisto.” 

“I’m sorry you’re married to him.” She responded quietly, making Nadia smile and hold back her laughter. 

“Shh, you’ll get us into trouble.” Nadia teased, but got serious again. “I’m afraid I’ve made a fool of myself and I’ve ruined our chances of getting information from Volta.” Seeing as Volta was cowering in the far corner of the table, scarfing down food while shaking, that may have been an accurate statement. 

Callisto looked over to Lucio and Vulgora fighting with the swords. There were combat spells, and some of them provide very great opportunities to learn a magician’s opponent beyond mortal bindings. “I have an idea.” 

She took a look at the table for any spice or herb that could help her. She took a generous pinch of dried chamomile from the glass dish used for tea, and pulled a crystal from her bag. She held them together and the crystal began to glow, before it dimmed and Callisto rubbed the chamomile over her body which gave her an enchanted glow for a moment, before disappearing into her skin. 

She got up and approached the duel. Lucio and Vulgora didn’t even notice her coming closer until she came between them and Lucio faltered to hurt her, which she recognized as a reaction to her magic protection, but Lucio would not know why he didn’t just move her out of the way. 

“If we take this to the courtyard, I’ll challenge both of you to defeat me.” Callisto announced to both of them. 

Nadia was left shocked, Lucio gave an impressed, but determined grin, and Vulgora was barely able to contain themself. 

“Are you very sure about this?” Nadia asked, discreetly as they made their way to the courtyard.

“I don’t need to win, I just need to keep them fighting for long enough that I can use a spell to interpret their hearts.” Callisto explained. 

“There’s a spell for that?” 

“There’s a spell for everything. Even for great evil.” She warned. 

“And you do know that Vulgora is a former warlord, and Lucio conquered his way all the way to Vesuvia from the far South?” She informed. 

“I was aware of Lucio, not aware of Vulgora, but in the end, their combat prowess will not help them fight me.” 

They got to the Courtyard and Callisto immediately got to work, grabbing plants from the garden, some poisonous, some medicinal, some were innocuous, and she shredded them up in her fingers. She took the string from her bag, and gripped around it with the mix in her hand, and she ran the whole string through her mixture. 

All of this before they found where this duel would begin. 

“Vulgora, try not to kill my new friend.” Lucio chastised. 

“She will only die if she is weak.” Vulgora spat. 

“Don’t kill me, and I won’t kill you.” Callisto said. “I have ways to earn victory from beyond the grave.”

“Oh this will be good.” Lucio grinned. 

Callisto held the string and channeled her energy through it. She focused on the weight she wanted, and the weapon she needed to wield. The string gained weight and strength as it became warm to her touch. To them it would burn.  

She raised her arm and cracked the fiery whip she’d fashioned out of her magic. The splitting sound made everyone but Callisto flinch with the sound of thunder. 

“How is that fair?” Lucio whined. 

“I am a Master Magician, Count Lucio.” She said with a smile. “The world around me gives me power. Where do you get yours?” 

She’d been wanting to wipe that awful smile off his face since she met him. Put him in his place as a mere man that would never care enough to grow enough to learn the same power that she had sweated, bled, and cried for. But the purpose of her question was to keep it on his mind while they fought so she could exploit their track of thought. 

Her taunt was good enough to make Lucio strike first. Her whip wrapped around his neck, and forced him directly into Vulgora. 

“Get off me Lucio! You buffoon!” Vulgora cried out, but Lucio’s neck was burning. 

“My power comes from something way more powerful than this witch.” 

Callisto released him from the whip as Vulgora charged at her. They had her on the defensive fast, and she was barely fast enough to keep away from the blade. However, if the blade was the problem, Callisto could fix that. 

She gripped the whip and wrapped it around the blade, making it heat up enough that the leather on the handle wasn’t enough to protect their hands from being burned by the sword. 

“You witch!” Vulgora screeched, Callisto whacked their sword at Lucio, who expertly deflected it with his sword. She swung and caught Vulgora’s ankle with her whip. 

“I refuse to be defeated by a mortal.” 

That caught Callisto off guard, but she still had a fight to worry about. 

She managed to heave the whip and throw Vulgora in front of Lucio so he’d trip over them. 

“Out of my way, idiot!” Lucio shouted, kicking them down. 

Callisto released Vulgora from the whip as she waited for Lucio to make his move. He circled her slowly, analyzing for an opening. She let him get behind her, and he took that as an opportunity. She was waiting for him, and managed to wrap the whip around his torso diagonally. 

“Not even death can defeat me.” 

She gets distracted long enough for Lucio to trip her and hold his sword to her throat. 

“I win, Callisto.” 

She held up her hands in surrender, letting the whip dissipate back into a string. “I expected as much. But I couldn’t deny the temptation of a worthy opponent.” 

Lucio smirks and goes over to gloat at Vulgora, but Callisto has emerged a true victor. She found precisely what she was looking for, only she knows it is only the beginning of something she can’t quite make out yet. 

“That was beautiful.” Nadia strides up to her as she’s brushing dirt and grass from her clothes. 

The streets of Vesuvia were barely busy. It might have been unfair to say that with a couple hundred people buzzing about the market, but the truth was that nothing was busy for Callisto until she stepped onto palace grounds. The baker had her stuffed pumpkin bun ready for her before she ever got to his storefront. She’d love to stay and chat, but he knows that she has to ride the lightning on Saturday mornings on her way to The Palace. He also knows now not to make her bun again until Tuesday. 

Callisto stops on the steps leading up to the palace gate to finish her breakfast and take a long breath. She knows she won’t get the chance to once her boot steps onto palace grounds. 

The guards open the gates as soon as they recognize her. As she passes, her heart hurts with a glance at the guard’s eye. His right scaleria has turned red, he’s passed into the second phase of the plague. It’s undetermined how long this phase will last, but he will slowly begin losing grip of reality until the plague passes to the third phase. Callisto’s intuition tells her that this guard will be on the boat to The Lazaret within the month. 

As soon as her boot lands on the marble path, her mentor is tailing her. 

“You’re late, Magician.” Julian jabs as they walk through the front garden. 

“A Magician arrives precisely when she means to. What did I miss?” 

Julian placed a bound stack of papers into her waiting hand, she skimmed through the reports as they walked. “The last boat to Lazaret went out Friday morning, so the dungeons are a little quiet today. Some bedridden patients offered to stay for more experimentation, so those are the only few down there at the moment.” 

“I’m sure Quaestor Valdemar will take up feeding any bodies to the beetles.” Callisto shivered. 

“I’d rather them do it than have to go near the vat.” Julian admitted. 

“Any updates on timetables?” Callisto asked. 

“There is limited evidence to suggest that twin patients succumb to the plague within one day of each other.” Julian noted. “Which could support my hypothesis that it’s a blood infection.” 

“Or it’s genetic.” Callisto suggested.

Julian gave a wry smile. “Bloodlines! Even better.” 

Callisto and Julian round the palace halls to get to the library. “You search the blood, I’ll look into the patients of the same family and compare infection progress reports.” 

“Sounds good to me.” Julian was off to the bookshelf with the secret lever hidden in a combination of books to pull. 

Callisto went to the record room and began searching through alphabetically categorized patient reports. When she was finally happy with her stack, she took it over to her favorite spot on the floor. It was still well supplied with her favorite pillows and blankets where she could comfortably pour over records to find answers and her cards could offer helpful guidance on what to search for. 

As Julian had said, families with one or more sets of twins usually held on in the second and third phases the longest. With twins always perishing within a day of each other. But there was another pattern somewhere in there, and Callisto knew the cards would be pulled to it like a magnet. 

Callisto pulled a card from the deck revealing the Six of Cups. 

The strongest bonds keep them attached to this world, but the plague rusts all chains. 

The closer the families are? 

It seemed that families from the more ruined parts of town, perhaps closer quarters? Being able to rely on your family might make it possible for these patients to live longer. Callisto pulled another card, pulling the Queen of Swords reversed. 

The plague is inflicted by cruelty, but can be resisted. Who can fight the longest?

Is it something individual? People with better relationships might be more devoted to battling the plague. 

Callisto knew the plague had a habit of dipping back into her magical expertise. As much as Julian chases the physical aspects of the illness, the cards always suggest there is something ancient, evil, and malicious behind it. Once again Callisto was brought to the mystic tomes and diaries that lined the top of the library. Books on baneful magic, chaos magic, and even malevolent deity worship. 

Taking them back to her nest and continuing to pour over the scrawled notes and ancient catalogs of magic spells and guides for mystic journeys. 

It was driving her insane. This was what she liked to study on a daily basis, but knowing it was in pursuit of an answer that hid in every crevice of magic, it felt more futile the more books she read through. A scuffle in the corner of the library was mostly ignored by her until a familiar creature came scampering up to her, and she wasn’t alone. 

“Clio, you made a friend.” Callisto noted. Clio was a genet with ashy gray fur with black spots. She had brought the most beautiful owl Callisto had ever seen. The owl eyed Callisto carefully, and she figured its trust was not won without some effort. 

Callisto reached into her bag and found the lunch she packed for her day, knowing she likely wouldn’t get to the kitchens as she continued her work. She took out a piece of stripped chicken from her sandwich and offered it to the owl. 

She stared at it for a moment before seeing Clio watch the snack like she would take it if she took too long. So the bird hopped forward and took the treat from Callisto’s hand. She kept her hand in place as she finished the snack. Callisto was rewarded with being allowed to pet her. “It’s right for you to demand respect. I just know you’re a clever bird.” 

“Careful, you’ll give her an ego with compliments like that.” A new, warm voice joined her spot in the library. When Callisto looked up, she fought the urge to jump up to have some respect for this woman, but the owl hopped up onto her knee, and she thought better of pushing it off. 

“Lady Satrinava. I take it you’re a friend of this enchanted owl?” 

“Her name is Chandra.” The Countess introduced. “She and I are old friends.” 

“It’s nice to meet you, Chandra. My name is Callisto.” She introduced in return, and Chandra happily hopped off her knee. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you, Countess. Right there is my friend, Clio.” 

“I don’t believe I’ve seen a creature like her before.” Lady Satrinava knelt down offering her hand to Clio. 

“She’s a genet. They live in the forests and fields outside of Vesuvia.” Callisto explained. “I was hunting for mushrooms with my aunt when I was a child. Clio came up to me and led me right to a bunch of truffles and a few puffball mushrooms. She hasn’t left my side since.” 

“She doesn’t look like the kind of animal to eat mushrooms.” Nadia noted. 

Callisto shrugged. “She doesn’t. I think she just knew what we were looking for, and remembered where some were. She still does that sometimes. She’ll still bring home truffles she finds because she knows I like them.” 

“Clever girl.” Nadia pets Clio affectionately. Her familiar rolling over in trust and giving Nadia’s hand playful licks. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you around the Palace much.” 

“I’m technically apprenticing under Dr. Devorak.” Callisto explained. “I’m only here from Saturdays to Mondays. The rest of the week, I’m working at my shop in the city. Trying to help with boots on the ground.” 

Nadia fully sits down in front of Callisto, and she’s more than happy to entertain this beautiful distraction. She doesn’t seem to have any qualms about just sitting on a pillow on the library floor. She finds her own nest very comfortable, but she wasn’t under any impression that even normal people liked it, let alone a princess, and countess. But then again, the distraction was absolutely captivating. 

This is the Count’s wife! Am I trying to get banished or executed?

“What wares does your shop sell?” Nadia asks. She doesn’t hesitate to make herself comfortable, and doesn’t give a second thought to settling herself on the floor, let alone with a random plague researcher. 

“Well, I’m a magician, I’m lending my studies of the mystical arts to the palace. I sell spells, ingredients, charms, potions, and I give tarot readings.” She explained. “Most of my free time is spent looking through more books, scrolls and records for more information on the plague.”

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen cards like those before. Are they your instrument?”  

Callisto was becoming more and more curious about why Nadia was so interested in her craft. “An instrument of sorts. I use the cards to listen for the voices of the spirits beyond this world. They are the keepers of secrets, and they have an answer for every question you could ever ask. It might not always be clear though. They give hints most of the time, rather than full information. I use them to guide my research on the plague.” 

“Could I ask a question?” 

“Are you sure?” Callisto asked. “When I do this reading, I will know your heart. If there is anything you don’t want me to know, I might compromise that with a reading.” 

Nadia gave a curious expression. “You know I am a person of influence, and yet you chose to warn me instead of betraying my trust by keeping me uninformed. That alone is enough for me to know you have my best interest at heart.” 

“As you wish, milady.” Callisto shuffled the cards together, and counted them out into three piles. “Choose a stack.” 

Nadia leaned over and grabbed the one closest to Callisto, making a brief moment of eye contact that made her blush. Callisto quickly discarded the other two piles. She took the one from Nadia and spread the cards out in a wheel pattern around a center card. 

“Choose three cards and I’ll read them.” Nadia chose the center card and one from the top and bottom. 

She handed the cards to Callisto, and she flipped over the first card. “The Ace of Swords.” 

“What does the Ace have to say to me?” 

It’s a Minor Arcana, so the voice is quieter, and usually more abstract. “The Ace of Swords signifies that you have recently acquired power. But beware that this power has an equal potential to harm as it does to help anyone at its end.” Callisto explains. 

“Perhaps I am more in control of my circumstances than I initially presumed.” Nadia mused. 

The next card turned and was placed next to the other. “The Five of Cups signifies a major loss. Despair and destruction are foretold, but not all hope is lost. There will be a foundation left to rebuild, and you will have the tools and help you need to heal.” 

Nadia doesn’t panic, or even show any external signs of worry. “I see. I suppose I will need to remain diligent.” 

“An optimistic attitude is a good companion for difficult times.” Callisto says, turning the last card. “The High Priestess.”

For a moment Nadia is perplexed by the card that faces her. As if she recognizes the figure, but the voice of The High Priestess comes louder and clearer than the others. 

“She says she will not lead you astray. Your wisdom and intuition will guide you.” Callisto says. 

“Well, then I suppose I am in good company.” Nadia said, seemingly satisfied with the reading she received. “Has my heart been revealed to you?” 

Callisto looked down at the full spread, and took in everything again. “It has, but I am curious.” 

“You’ve entertained my whim, the least I can do is be honest.” 

“What brought you here?” Callisto asked. “There are plenty of people for you to approach in this library, even more in the palace. Why me?” 

Nadia smiled as if she expected such a question, but even still, Callisto felt somewhat vulnerable asking it. 

“Intuition.” She answers, looking to Chandra for a moment. 

Callisto can sense a secret beneath her response, but she is being honest. “Have I proven myself?” 

“Your skills have met my high standards. And your intentions have impressed Chandra. I would say the impression you have left is a good one.” Nadia said. 

“I should be thanking you. The cards were rather cryptic before you asked your question.” She chuckled, shuffling the spread back into the deck. 

“Perhaps they were simply tired of the subject at hand.” Nadia suggests. 

“In any case, they seemed to think there was something special about you.” Callisto explained. “I think whatever you choose to do will have a great impact on Vesuvia.” 

“And how do you take that, Callisto?” 

Callisto pondered the question for a moment. Wherever The Countess’s path led, and wherever it crossed with her own, she was unsure. However, there wasn’t any darkness surrounding the Countess here. She seemed driven to do something, but intentions leave an ashy residue on conversations. At least with the magic that Callisto practiced, she could feel it like a physical presence. 

“I think you’re going in the right direction. I see a determination in you that is growing into an obsession.” She explained, her mystic senses filling her reading of Nadia’s spirit. “If you are not careful, obsessions can imprison you, Countess. Keep your intuition sharp. Your aura is one of prey.” 

“And who is doing the hunting?” Nadia asks. 

Callisto shrugs and pulls a card in response. 

The Devil. 

There are no words that come to Callisto now, only the sound of distant, venomous laughter, echoing across the realms. “An obsession.” 

Nadia gets an understanding look on her face. “I will heed your warning well, Callisto.” She bowed and bid her farewell, Chandra flew to perch on her shoulder as she walked away. 

“Some friends you made, Clio.” 

She chirped and rolled over into Callisto’s lap. “Friends!” 

The dungeon door opened and Julian finally emerged from the depths. “Have you found anything on the genetics side?” 

“I’m not entirely sure it’s genetic, it looks to be more that plague victims with family have people to rely on to take care of them.” Callisto said. “My hypothesis on this lead is that there will be more deaths in these families as they have less people to rely on.”

“Ah.” Julian said with all the enthusiasm drained from his voice. “I hate it when I’m right.” 

While that might have felt like a personal insult at any other time, that phrase had become a mantra of Julian’s pessimism. 

“I think I might have found a thread.” Callisto mentioned. “It’s more in my world than yours, so I hope your leeches are coming up with something.” 

“Oh no, is this another one of those prophecies?” Julian groaned. 

“Something like that.” Callisto grabbed her bag and got ready to head out. 

“You know these never bring up anything good.” He argued. 

“It’s not like you even need me. Just keep wrangling leeches.” She dodged, heading back out the library door. There was something awry in the palace, and it has something to do with the plague. 

The best she could do was start by looking into the previsions the palace is taking to help plague victims in the city. Valdemar was handling the research end of it, but the Consul Valerius would be in charge of the city planning, and aid work being sent out to the streets. Though, approaching the Consul of Count Lucio directly might not go over well if she did it alone. Thankfully, Callisto knew who to go to. 

“Lyra!” She called out, finding her heading to the studio. 

“Callisto, whatever do I owe the pleasure.” 

“Remember how you owe me a favor?” Callisto winced, knowing this was a fairly big ask of Lyra. 

“I do.” She said cautiously. 

“I promise, this won’t involve you beyond this favor.” She swore to her. 

“Alright, shoot.” 

“Can you get me a small meeting with Consul Valerius?” She asked. 

“Are you sure I can trust you to be nice? Remember what happened with Pontifex Vulgora?” Lyra accused. 

“That was a genuine misunderstanding! They were violently shaking, I thought they might have been having a seizure or something, I didn’t think they’d take it so personally.” 

Lyra eyed her skeptically.

“Please, Lyra.” 

“On condition.” She compromised. 

“Anything.” 

“You have to pass a test of your manners.” She said. 

Callisto was left surprised. “What exactly does that mean?” 

A mischievous smile spread across her face. “I’m on my way to the studio to work on a high profile portrait. I want you to sit in with me, and you have to mind your manners for the entire duration. Treat him like your job is on the line.” 

Lyra knew this would be difficult for her no matter who this high profile client was. “You’re trying to burn me out before I ever even see the Consul, huh?” 

“Believe me, if you can handle him, then Valerius will be easy to get along with.” She assured, but it did little to help ease Callisto's anxiety. 

As soon as the studio door opened, she immediately realized why Lyra had warned her to treat him like her job depended on it. 

“Count Lucio, thank you for your patience. My sincerest apologies, but I required some extra help to ensure this portrait is one to remember on account of the poor weather today.” Lyra explained herself. 

“I suppose if it’s to capture my image correctly, I don’t mind waiting a little.” Lucio puffed out his chest. “What do you do?” He addressed Callisto quite harshly, making her flinch. 

“I’m a Magician, Count- sir.” Callisto choked. “Lyra explained she needed some extra light because the clouds are blocking out the natural sunlight.” 

“I must ensure your portrait is as radiant as you are.” Lyra supplied. “Now Count, I have a selection of skulls as you requested. I have a deer, a horse, and a goat, do any of these suit your preference?” 

Count Lucio walked over to the table and immediately went for the horse. Like he was drawn to the biggest one. 

“A powerful choice, sir.” Lyra approved. “How would you like this portrait to make the viewer feel?” 

“Inferior.” He answered, holding the skull up to the candle light. 

Lyra nodded. “I’m thinking, the red jacket with the fur cape, gold arm on display, and of course a sword.” She rattles off, collecting the materials from the rack of impressive clothes. “I want all the fixings, gold, gems- Oh this is a nice cloak clasp- and, I’m getting lots of gold.” 

She seems to understand Lucio’s tastes, and chooses many things she knows will impress him. Her whimsical nature brought with her artistic talent strokes his ego. He takes his costume and goes into the dressing room to change. 

“So far so good.” Lyra whispers. 

“My plan is to stay quiet and do whatever he says.” She whispered back. 

“That may be easier said than done.” She warns. 

Lucio emerges in the impressive getup, brushing the fur on his shoulders. 

“Despite the horrid lighting, the weather has inspired me.” Lyra says. “Callisto, can you give a light like the sun peeking out of stormy clouds onto our magnificent hero.” 

Believe it or not, her abstract descriptions are just perfect for concentrating her magic. She closes her eyes and focuses on that feeling. When the air is cold from the rain, and the first rays of sunlight are cutting through the storm, giving assurance that the storm has passed. 

An orb of light floats up from her hand until it reaches the ceiling. Lyra pulls back the blinds to let the gray light into the room to assist the lighting. Lucio strikes a pose with his hand on the sword, and his boot, pressing the horse skull into the floor. “You look stunning, Count.” 

She begins sketching out his form, in a long tedious process. “So you’re a magician, Callisto.” 

Callisto was lucky she was sitting behind him, and out of his peripheral, because she flinched when he said her name again.

“Yes sir.” She answered. 

“You wouldn’t happen to know that other magician boy, Asra, right?” 

Her jaw tightened as soon as he said that name. “May I speak freely about him?” 

“Oh this ought to be good.” He laughed. “Go right ahead.” 

Lyra gave her a look of warning, but let her make her own decision.

“Asra doesn’t know how to mind his own business.” She spat. “I knew them once, but we’re no longer on speaking terms.” 

“Ha! I know, right?” He couldn’t get enough. “Tell me, how did you meet my portrait artist?” 

Callisto looks to Lyra to see if she’s alright with him knowing. She gives a relaxed nod. Apparently the Count knows about her and Valerius. “She came to my shop in the city asking for a tarot reading for the future of her romantic life.” 

“Oooh, did Lyra have a crush?” Lucio teased, getting a bashful, knowing smile from Lyra. 

“The cards told her that her best love life was waiting for her in the Palace.” Callisto recalled. “I remember running into her at the market the next afternoon, and Lyra told me that she’d immediately sent her portfolio to the Palace.” 

“So I have you to thank for my artist?” 

“I just gave her the message. Lyra’s choice to take her chance was entirely her own.” She figured modesty would be the right choice in front of Lucio. “You’ll have to thank her own diligent practice and eye for greatness. I think her paintings are certainly more memorable because she paints a truly memorable man.”

“You’re quite the flatterer, Callisto.” Lucio accuses, but she can tell he isn’t upset about it at all. 

“It’s polite to be honest, is it not?” She chuckled. “Besides, I wouldn’t see a point in serving the Palace if I didn’t believe the Count was a worthy and great leader. You’ve made working here efficient and easy.” 

All she could think about was the people hobbling down the street in lines to the boats that would take them to the Lazaret. She was keeping a cork on her rage, and offering only the best of what she could pick out from her experiences here. 

“Have you attended any of my Masquerades or parties?” Lucio asked. 

“Yes! I live in the city, but the parties are magnificent. Unfortunately my busy schedule made it difficult to attend any since the last Masquerade.” Callisto admitted. 

“What work could you possibly be doing to keep you from my parties?” Lucio accused. 

And just when she thought he couldn't ask a worse question. Lyra sent her a glare, and Callisto knew she had to think fast. “Count Lucio, forgive me, but I think the subject of Plague research is very tiring, and it shouldn’t invade your portrait at all.” 

“What do you do when you’re not working at the Palace, Callisto?” Lucio pried. 

“I work at my shop in the city. I give tarot readings and sell various magic wares.” She explained. 

Lucio all but jumped. “Oooh! Read me!” He demanded as Lyra took her hand off the canvas to wait for him to stop moving. 

Callisto figured she didn’t have much of a choice. Unfortunately, she knew to be more scared of what the Arcana may tell her about Lucio rather than what she may have to say to him. 

She shuffled the cards as she walked around Lyra to face Lucio. She pulled three cards and held them out face down to him. “Which one do you choose, sir?” 

“The middle one!” He said, nearly shaking with excitement.

She discarded the other two and turned the card face up. Death Reversed. 

The stagnation of one is the stagnation of all. Malicious forces fester in the open wound. 

“What does it say?” 

“Death Reversed means a refusal to change. You have no desire to change your circumstances, nor desire to stop what you are doing.” Callisto says. 

At the very least Lucio doesn’t seem offended. “Of course I don’t want to change!” He laughs. “I’m at the top of the world, I don’t need to change anything.” 

Callisto just nodded, putting the cards away. She knew if she didn’t keep him occupied, then he’d keep asking questions that could get more and more dicey for her to answer. So she’d need a better strategy. “You know, Count. I hear many stories of your conquests from the south all the way to Vesuvia. I think it would be more educational to hear them from the source.” 

Lucio immediately perked up. “I’d thought you’d never ask-” 

He prattled on for the rest of the session. Occasionally when he’d reached the inevitable end of his tall tale, Callisto would guide him into starting another. 

“Count Lucio, sir, I’ve reached the stopping point for this session.” Lyra notified. 

“Of course, of course.” Lucio waved off, finally shaking out the tension he built up from staying still for so long. He went to the dressing room and emerged not long after back in his gaudy clothes. “I hope to see you next session, Callisto.” Lucio bid her farewell as Lyra packed her stuff up. 

Callisto finally relaxed, pinching the bridge of her nose in an attempt to calm herself down. Everything Lucio had said, everything he had cared about, it was all pointless. That man didn’t have a goddamn problem in the world, and his city is in ruins. And she had to call him a ‘worthy and great leader.’ All that man was worthy of is the fucking plague. But no, he hides in his lavish palace, having portraits done wearing enough gold to buy her a ship to get the fuck out of Vesuvia, he’s throwing parties in his palace that could be used to care for plague victims, and he doesn’t have a care in the fucking world. 

“I told you, Valerius will be a breeze.” Lyra jokes. 

She didn’t even have time to think as her rage burst out and she punched the nearest object as the light flashed bright before every light in the room went out. The clattering hatstand and bright flash made Lyra jump, and Callisto took a deep breath. “Sorry, that was out of line.” 

A sad smile crossed Lyra’s face, illuminated only by the cloudy gray light. “Don’t worry about it. Why don’t you have dinner with me and Valerius tonight? I know he can be a little crass, but I can usually calm him down.”